Kadikoy, with its lively atmosphere and city life, historical buildings, being an important transportation hub, market, large young and student population, cultural events & arts, shopping centers, cafes, pubs and restaurants by the seaside and inland and lively nightlife especially along its famous “Bar Street” and the nearby residential suburb of beautiful Moda, is one of the most popular and colorful districts of Istanbul. In Kadikoy you may experience and enjoy how the Istanbul locals live.
Kadikoy in Turkish means “the Village of the Judge”. Kadikoy was once a separate settlement area while standing the Byzantium across the Bosphorus on the historical peninsula. History of the Kadikoy dates back to the Chalcedon of the Megarians, 635 BC.
Insider Advice: Kickstart your Istanbul adventure with the Istanbul E-Pass or Istanbul Tourist Pass. These passes provide free access to around 70+ top attractions, tours and essential local services in the city with around 70% savings.
Things to Do & See
Strolling around the Kadikoy Sqaure, Moda and Fenerbahce Kalamis area and watching the crowd, having a rest and drinking tea or coffee at the various cafes nearby the sea, visiting Bahariye Street and make shopping are the best things to do in Kadikoy. The Kadikoy shoreline is very popular with the young people.
Kadikoy Market and Bahariye Street
Kadikoy Market and the famous Bahariye Street are the most popular places to visit and see in Kadikoy. The Kadikoy market area is also known as “the Beyoglu of the Istanbul’s Asian side”, and Bahariye street as “the Istiklal Street of Istanbul’s Asian side”. There are wide range of places at the Kadikoy market area from greengrocers to fishmongers, from spice shops to patisseries, cafes, pubs and restaurants.
The famous fish market in the Market area is worth a visit and see. The Tellalzade Street along the Kadikoy market area is famous for its antique shops and second-hand bookstores. Before you get to the Bahariye Street, on the way you’ll come across to the other famous Sanatcilar (Artists) Street and here you may find variety of pretty ceramics, paintings and art shops by the local ceramics artists.
No Regrets Booking Advice
The traffic free Bahariye Street can be considered as the most lively and famous place in Kadikoy. There is also an old fashioned tram operating from Kadikoy harbor. Bahariye Street is always lively and crowded. You may find variety of lovely cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants as well as quality shops and cultural event centers in the Bahariye Street. The Sureyya Opera House is the most eye catching building in the Bahariye Street.
Sureyya Opera House
The Sureyya Opera House Süreyya was designed as an opera, theater and ball house in 1927 by Sureyya Ilmen Pasa but used to serve as cinema hall for many years. After a hard work in 2007, Sureyya Opera House restored to its original and has become the first opera house on Istanbul’s Asian side and 6th one in Turkey.
The building is very attractive with its facade with the cravings of the Muses and masks of art, tragedy and comedy as well as the very beautiful interior. You’ll also see a marble sculpture named Vodvil standing by the building.
Address: Bahariye Str. No:29, Kadikoy
Tel: +90 216 346 15 31 (3 hat).
The Bull Statue
The Bull Statue is one of the most popular symbols and meeting points of Kadikoy. The real name of the statue is “fighting bull statue” and it has a very intersting story that you might not imagine while you stare at the statue thinking that it’s just a statue. The Bull Statue is made by the French artist in Paris, in 1860s to symbolise the war won by France againts Germany. It also symbolise the power and strength. But in 1870s, this time Germany won the war against France and the Bull Statue has moved to Germany. In 1917, the German Emperor gave the Bull Statue as a present to Ittihat and Terakki Community and the community gave it as a present to Enver Pasa.
We Highly Recommend These Fantastic Night-time Activities
During the 1st World War, as Enver Pasa went abroad from Turkey, the Bull Statue has forgotten at the garden of the Enver Pasa’s palace. And after 50 years, the Bull Statue has moved to Hilton Hotel in Taksim district and than to Lutfi Kirdar Congress Center and than to Taksim Gezi Park. The Bull Statue stayed here for about 20 years and in 1970s has moved to Kadikoy, to the Municipality building’s garden. And finally in 1990 the Bull Statue has moved to its today’s place for the last time. The Bull Statue has traveled from Paris to Istanbul and has more than 150 years of age. Not an ordinary statue, isn’t it?
Osman Aga Mosque
Osman Aga Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Kadikoy. The mosque was built during the era of the Sultan I.Ahmed (1603-1617) by Osman Aga.
The wooden construction is renewed by Sultan II. Mahmud in 1811.
Ayia Efimia Greek Orthodox Church
Ayia Efimia Greek Orthodox Church is located at the Kadikoy Market area square. The Church dates back to 1694.
According to the legend, Ayia Efemia is the person who was killed in the year 305, due to his resistance to the community’s Pagan belief and his choice of the Christianity.
Akmar Passage
Once a popular place with the heavy metal fans that you may enjoy the heavy metal music markets and CD, t-shirt shops, Akmar Passage is now a passage with many second-hand and new bookstores. A popular place for students and book lovers.
Haydarpasa Railway Station and Pier
Haydarpasa Railway Station and Pier is one of the popular landmarks of Kadikoy. People visiting Kadikoy by ferries first see this glorious building. The Haydarpasa Railway Station was first built by the Germans in 1908 as a monumental building for the Berlin-Bagdad railway project.
Travelling to Haydarpasa Pier by ferries is also very exciting that the travelers may enjoy the hundreds of cormorant and heron birds along the breakwater as well as feeding the seagulls.
Selimiye Barracks ve Florence Nightingale Museum
Selimiye Barracks is also another great landmark located behing the Haydarpasa Railway Station. The Selimiye barracks has taken its name from the the Sultan III.Selim in 1799, for his project of establishing a new army as the existing famous Ottoman army named “Yeniceri” has become a trouble making army.
The building was renewed during the era of Sultan II.Mahmud in 1825. There is also a museum for the memory of the Florence Nightingale (founder of the nursing) as she made nursing care here for the wounded people during the Crimea War between 1853-1856. Florence Nightingale’s room is protected on the present-day with her goods, presents and stuff.
Moda
Moda is a very peaceful and green neighborhood of Kadikoy and the Moda shores and parks are very popular with the young locals. Moda is also a popular residential area in the Istanbul’s Asian side.
You may get to Moda by walking along the Kadikoy shoreline within 15 mins. There variety of lovely cafes, tea gardens and restaurants along the Moda coasts and inland. Having a rest at the cafes of Moda and watch the sunset is also great attraction in Moda. The Baris Manco (world famous Turkish singer and artist) House Museum is also located in Moda.
Baris Manco House Museum
The world famous Baris Manco (1943-1999) is one of the most popular singers and artists and in Turkey.
The house of Baris Manco is situated in the Moda neighborhood of Kadikoy and has arranged as museum to make his memories live after his death. You may see his goods, stuff, records, works, photos and more at the house museum of Baris Manco.
Romantika Fenerbahçe Park
The Romantika Fenerbahce Park is located on the Fenerbahce Peninsula in the Fenerbahce neighborhood of Kadikoy.
The park is very popular with the Istanbul locals and has beautiful open and closed areas. Location >>
Bagdat Street
Bagdat Street (Bagdat Aveneu) is one of the most luxurious streets for locals in Istanbul. The 14 km. long Bagdat street begins from Bostanci and extends to Goztepe. There are numerous luxury cafes, restaurants and shops along the street.
Also awarded as the 4th most popular shopping street in the world some many years ago, Bagdat street also offers great entertainment and nightlife activities in Istanbul’s Asian side.
Istanbul Toy Museum
Istanbul Toy Museum is a very sweet museum that is situated in the Goztepe neighborhood of Kadıköy. Istanbul Toy Museum was founded by Sunay Akin (the Turkish poet and novelist) in 23rd April 2005, on the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
The most popular samples of the toy history from 1700s to present-day are exhibited at the Istanbul Toy Museum. The toys at the museum are gathered by Sunay Akin from the antiques shops and auctions from more than 40 countries for 20 years. The museum is closed on Mondays. Address: Omerpasa Zeki Zeren Str. No:17, Goztepe, Kadikoy. Tel: +90 216 359 45 50 – 51
Cultural Centers
There are variety of great cultural centers belonging to the Kadikoy Municpality in the Kadikoy district where you may enjoy theaters, concerts, kids plays, symposiums, workshops, exhibitions and more… The Sureyya Opera, Kozyatagi, Baris Manco, Halis Kurtca ve Caddebostan Cultural Centers are the most popular of them.
Eating Out
Eating out in Kadikoy is fantastic. There are wide range of dining opportunities for the Kadikoy visitors. It can be said that whole Kadikoy district is full of quality restaurants and cafes. Most visited Kadikoy restaurants, cafes and tea gardens are located in the Kadikoy Market area, Bahariye Street, along the shoreline and the nearby Moda suburb. You are able to find every kind of food & beverage, Turkish & world cuisine for your taste.
The Baylan patisserie in the Muvakithane street, Ciya (kebabs ve home food) in the Guneslibahce street, Denizati Restaurant – Cafe in the Kadikoy harbor, Viktor Levi Wine House ve Ali Usta Ice Cream in Moda are the popular dining and wining places in the Kadikoy district. We also recommend you to visit Turkish Coffee places in Serasker street at the Kadikoy Market area.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Kadikoy is very lively and very popular for the Istanbul Asian side residents. The Kadife Street, also called as the Bar Street and the parallel Moda Street are the most popular areas of the lively nights and entertainment in Kadikoy. You may find wide range of great cafes, pubs, bistros and live music bars here.
The Monks, Komodor, Dora King Gastro Pub and Zeplin Pub & Delicatessen in Moda street and the Arkaoda, Karga, Incir Pub, Hera, Zincir, Lal, Teachers Pub and Buddha Bar in Kadife street are the most popular cafes, pubs and bars in Kadikoy.
Top Selling Tours in Kadikoy
For both first time visitors and the ones want to experience and enjoy the neighborhood life of Istanbul, we highly recommend this unique and tailor made culinary and sightseeing tours, offered by several quality agents. We only suggest the proven ways and top rated ones with travelers’ comments. You can feel free to book one of the below top selling Istanbul culinary and food tours.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
Where to Stay
As Kadikoy is one of the most popular and lively districts of Istanbul, there are wide range of opportunities from budget aparts, apart hotels, to three to five star hotels in Kadikoy and Moda. Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, A11 Hotel Cadde ve Sidonya Hotel are the popular hotels in Kadikoy at first sight. You may check and find your ideal Kadikoy via Booking.com Kadikoy Hotels with the hotels info, photos, comments and price comparison and book your Kadikoy hotel online.
How to Get There?
Getting to Kadikoy is very easy. There are many public busses and dolmus operate to Kadikoy from many Asian districts of Istanbul and from Taksim and Besiktas. It is possible to access Kadikoy;
- from Besiktas and Eminonu; by public ferries,
- from Karakoy to Haydarpasa; by public ferries and than within a 15 mins walk,
- from Eminonu, Kabatas or Besiktas; by pblic ferries (also boats from Besiktas-Uskudar) to Uskudar and from Uskudar; by public busses or dolmus in every 10-15 mins,,
- by yellow shared taxis (Dolmus) from Taksim,
- by public buses from the many districts of Istanbul.
